Do you know that when we praise while going through, situations can change, and chains can be broken? Most importantly we can be changed from within, which will change our perspective on the situation. The Bible tells us that God makes the sun shine on the evil and the good, just as He sends the rain on the just and the unjust. That is because God is good and merciful, and we know that all good things come from Him. The Bible also tells us that the cause of all misery, sickness, death, and every evil thing that happens is satan and sin. Because believers live in a sinful world, we are not exempt from tragedy and pain. I was asked the question, “Why does it matter if I accept Jesus Christ and live righteous if I’m going to have the same issues as unbelievers?”  

“so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45)

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

“In addition to having clothed yourselves with these things, having taken up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one,” (Ephesians 6:16)

It matters because as believers we walk by faith, not by sight. It matters that we live righteously and represent Christ because sometimes our actions are the only Bible some people will ever read. When we are going through if we react the same as unbelievers, what are we saying? Are we just speakers of God’s Word or do we live our life in such a way that it represents what we speak? I am reminded of Paul and Silas in the Book of Acts. While they were jailed and chained, they never stopped praying, singing, and praising God. This is what the Bible tells us in Acts, “Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.” (Acts 16:25-32) God turned the situation into a blessing. That is why it matters that we know Christ!  

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

“Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord” (Psalm 150:6)

“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4)

It matters because trials and suffering hit differently when you have someone to share them with. Someone you can depend on not just in the good times but the bad as well. Someone who will let you cry, vent, and not judge your faith. Someone who will just sit with you even when you don’t feel like talking. Someone who will accept you just as you are but is willing to stick with you while you change for the better. Someone who will never leave or forsake you. Someone who loves you so much that they would take all your pain and suffering and die for you. Someone who can give you the gift of eternal life. If you have someone on this earth who can do some of those things, you are blessed indeed. But there is no one who can do ALL of those things ALL of the time for ALL of us except for Jesus Christ. It matters because God is love and there is no greater love!  

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

“Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13)

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)

Why does it matter if we live righteously while still going through storms and difficulties? Because this life is temporary. Jesus has promised us an eternal home where there will be no more pain and suffering. Our suffering now is nothing compared to what we have to look forward to. When we are going through the enemy will try to discourage our walk with God. But take heart and know that God is in control. The process may be challenging but it’s never a path of defeat, only victory. Love and Blessings…

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. “Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:3-6)

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (1 John 5:13)

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelations 21:4)

The heart is a symbol for love. I read somewhere that the heart is the locus of physical and spiritual beings, and represents the central wisdom of feeling as opposed to the head-wisdom of reason. I agree because the heart can be compassionate and understanding, however it can also lead you into a path of destruction. The heart is definitely complex.

Scripture tells us to guard our hearts. It also tells us that the heart can be deceitful. Hmmmm, deceitful is not “good”. A “good” heart leads us to righteousness. I believe the best way to guard our hearts and keep it from being deceitful is to surrender it to Jesus. When we give our hearts to God, we stop worrying about all that we can’t control. We slow down, we begin to trust, we let the little things roll off our backs. We know that our heart is in a safe place, and we can find comfort knowing God will never break or leave it. I am thankful that God looks at the heart of man and not the flesh, because if the heart is right, God can help us change the flesh. If we make a genuine effort to strive for a “good” heart in all our interactions, even with our enemies, the Lord will hear our prayers when our hearts break from the troubles of this world or from someone we love. Thank God that Jesus will always be there to comfort and heal our broken hearts. There is a song that asks the question, where do broken hearts go? The answer is to Jesus. My prayer is that we all be known to God as David was, a man after His own heart. We all know that David was not perfect but what set him apart was that his heart was pointed toward God. Love and Blessings…

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet”
(Proverbs 4:23-27)

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
(Samuel 16:7)

“And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.” (Acts 13:22)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
(John 14:27)

I have always had strong willpower. If I set my mind to do something, you better believe I can do it. HOLD UP! WAIT A MINUTE! For the most part this statement is true, I do have strong will power, however, God has taught me that even the strongest willpower is not sufficient without God’s power. He is our True Power Source! At one point in my life, I thought if I didn’t do it, it wouldn’t get done, or at least not be done right. I believed I could accomplish whatever I put my mind too. In my mind I was superwoman. Now you may ask what’s wrong with that? Nothing except for the fact that (I) depended only on (me) and when (I) accomplished what (I) set out to do, (I) patted (myself) on the back. There’s nothing wrong with being confident in yourself. There’s nothing wrong with believing in yourself. However, I had to learn it was not just about me, myself and I, I needed other people. The Bible says we need each other. Romans 12:4-5 states, “For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” I especially needed to depend on God because the reality is that on our own, we can do nothing at all, not even breathe. Most importantly, I had to learn that all the glory belongs to God. I learned all this once I developed a relationship with God but if I am honest, God had to allow me to be taken down a notch or two first. Once I released the pride and self-righteousness, I was able to surrender and depend wholeheartedly on God. Surrendering to God is the best decision we can ever make!

“Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.” (Matthew 22:29)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

“Glory belongs to God, whose power is at work in us. By this power he can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.” (Ephesians 3:20)

Our willpower can only take us so far without the power of Jesus. We must begin and end with Him who has the real power to change whatever we desire to change. His power within us allows us to accomplish more than we can ever imagine. No door can close that He can’t open. He is greater than any problem or circumstance we may face. When we realize that our God is all powerful and we give Him complete control of our life, we can be confident and not sweat the big or small stuff. We really can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. God’s got the power!  
 
“Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” (Job 26:14)

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20)

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:” (1 Peter 5:6)

We make mistakes. We get hurt. However, We bounce back quickly and fiercely like the women lioness that we are! We don’t have all the answers but we know who does and we know our worth. We are mothers, we are strong and will fight to the end for our children and those we love. Each day no matter what we face, we put one foot in front of the other and walk by faith. One thing we know for sure, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!
Celebrate today and every day that God blesses you with the gift of a mom. A mother’s love is a gift that will never die even when her fleshly body is no longer here, her love lives on in our heart and memories. Love and make memories while you can because the memories will forever be with you. The love will forever be with you. Today is bittersweet for some, and I pray that it comforts you knowing that those who have accepted Christ will see each other again. If you are still blessed to have your mom with you now, I encourage you to make everyday Mother’s Day!

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” ( Proverbs 31:25)

“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” (Proverbs 31:26)

“Then the mother of the child said, ‘As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So he arose and followed her.”
(2 Kings 4:30)

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

We all go through trials and tribulations of some sort in this life. If you are not going through something now, you have been through or you will go through. That’s life. Jesus told us in John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” That last sentence, “I have overcome the world” is our hope and comfort in times of troubles. Sometimes we must go through to get to the next level God is taking us. I call it growing through. Sometimes we go through so that when God brings us through, we will have a testimony to help someone else. We get the victory and God gets the glory! Sometimes we go through because of our own bad choices but God is still in control. He can turn our mess into a message, just as He turns our test into a testimony. It’s really about how we handle the situation, do we focus more on it than the One who is in control of it? There is a difference in being concerned than being worried and anxious. We must trust our Father who has already won every battle we will ever face. When storms come, Jesus will calm them or He will calm us until they past. Scripture helps us realize that we are fighting from a vantage point of already having victory, rather than trying to win a victory. The Apostle Paul writes, “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loves us.” (Romans 8:37) Through every trial, we must keep our focus on God and always believe what His Word says more than we believe what the world says. We must not let our  doubts and fears hold us back from living the life God has for us. We may have to walk through some difficulties but we can stand strong in faith, because we know how the story ends! We have the victory through Christ Jesus! So be encouraged. Love and Blessings…

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippines 4:6-7)

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” (Mark 4:39)

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8)

No need to lie, our flesh loves sin, sin can feel, sound, look, smell, and taste oh so good! Have you ever asked yourself, Lord why everything that seems so good is a sin? The key word here is seems. That’s the deception of the enemy. It has to seem good for us to be tempted. When it comes to owning up to our own sins, the phrases “But I’m not perfect.” Or “God knows my heart” is often used as the go-to justification. I have used them. And I am sure most people have. They are both true statements but should not be used to justify our wrongdoing. God knows we are not perfect, He knows all of our weaknesses. The Apostle Paul understood the struggle. He wrote, “I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?” (Romans 7:22-24) In verse 25 Paul gives us the answer, the answer is in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior!

God’s intention is for us to have victory over sin, which is why He sent His Son, Jesus to save us. There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. When we mess up and fall short, God shows us grace. Jesus is our advocate, so that sin won’t keep us from our Holy God. We will dwell in God’s shelter, not because of our own righteousness, but in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. It is not wise to take God’s grace for granted, using “I’m not perfect” or “God knows my heart” as an excuse or to justify our sins. There is a difference between making an occasional mistake and being willfully disobedient to God. We cannot repent and ask for forgiveness but at the same time we are planning our next trip with sin. Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 6:15-23, “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” In other words we can be slaves to sin, or we can be slaves to righteousness. We have a choice. Yes God gives us choices. He does not want puppets on a string. His desire is that His love for us, His mercy and His grace will give us the desire to live right in His eyes. And when we choose to be disobedient there are consequences. Sin separates us from God. The enemy knows this. This is where he wants us to be, away from God who protects us and where we get our strength and authority over him. He can’t come in and and take control when we are under God’s protection. Oh he will attempt too but nothing he tries with prosper. We do not have to run and hide from God when we mess up. In Christ, we have the confident assurance that we are forgiven, loved, and righteous. (Eph. 1:7, Rom. 8:37, 2 Cor. 5:21). Thank God for Jesus, who gives us the strength we need to get the victory over sin that we already have. Yes, we already have the victory over any sin because God said He would always give us a way out. Sometimes we have to tap into it by drawing from Jesus. We can do all things through Him.
When we fall short as we all do, we must not just say “I’m not perfect” or “God knows my heart.” We must sincerely repent, and we will be forgiven as Jesus forgave the woman at the well in John 4:1-42. This story is an example of Jesus’s love, truth, redemption, and acceptance.

This new life we live in the grace of God should not be taken for granted. God’s kindness and goodness toward us, should motivate us to change and have the desire to receive the divine nature, the mind of God. Grace is inseparable from God’s law, and God’s law is inseparable from grace. Both work to produce righteousness in a child of God, keeping us free from sin and death. Love and Blessings…

“Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrew 2:17-18)

“Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.” (1John 3:6-7)

“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:4-8)

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 8:1)

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
(1 Corinthians 10:13)

I have heard people say haters motivate them. I thought about that this past week and how the enemy has been trying his best to stop what the Lord has proclaimed for me to do. Every time he takes me down, the Lord pulls me back up. I say to the devil, ha, you lose again! Then I get excited because I know the devil is running scared. Each time the enemy tries and fails, it motivates me. Because it proves the Lord is with me every step of the way! Again I say, Lord, I’m ready, send me!

We sometimes hear stories of God supernaturally, miraculously appearing to people in dreams and visions, which leads them to finding Christ and putting their trust in Him. This is awesome when it happens! But usually the way people hear about Christ is God sends someone like you or I to tell them the Good News of Salvation. Jesus was clear and straightforward to his disciples on what he wanted them to do. The authority was delegated to the disciples to announce the Good News to all and to go out and make disciples. Today God still sends us as His disciples to spread the Gospel. We can tell them about Jesus who is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” However Jesus is the only one who can save them and then only if they open their hearts and allow Him too by accepting Him as their Lord and Savior. Every Christian is either someone who God’s send, or someone who God uses to help those He have sent. We too, like the original disciples are fishermen of souls. We throw the rod out (plant the seed) and Jesus will reel them in if they allow Him. God doesn’t need our help, just like He didn’t need the original disciples to save us. It is a privilege to be called to help save lost souls from a Christ-less eternity. God does not want to lose one soul! We don’t want our family, friends, not even our enemies to live a life without Christ, and worst not to experience the joy of everlasting life. Whether it is around the world or across the street, there are people who need to hear the Good News. People need to hear this incredible story of love, sacrifice, and salvation! True disciples strive each day to be Christlike and to do that our words and actions must line up with the Word of God. I pray that the Lord blesses us and makes us worthy disciples as we continue the task He gave to His original disciples. My personal prayer today is Lord use me to save souls, send me! What about you, have you inspired others to follow Jesus? Love and Blessings…

“If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32)

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:13-15)

Don’t talk yourself out of your destiny and purpose believing what you see. Where are you looking? Now is the time more than ever for us to keep our gaze on God and only glance at the world. When you look at the world you see doubt, fear and panic. When you look at God you see your purpose, you see protection and peace. When you look at the world, you see desperation, death, and destruction. When you look at God you see eternal life, you have no fear, because you walk in the authority and power of the Holy Spirit living within you. When you look at the world, you see who society says you are, when you look at God, you know who you are. When you look at the world, you see lies, injustice, and the devil’s schemes. When you look at God, you recieve spiritual strength, discernment, and wisdom to defeat the devil. Keep your gaze on God who has given you power over all things, ALL THINGS! Where are you looking? Love and Blessings…

“So  God created man in his own image
in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27)

“I  praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14)

“Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)

“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (1 Corinthians 16:11)

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19)

“That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:5)

Last week was challenging to say the least. It took me down. I’m still recovering. I felt like I lost the battle. But then I was reminded that there is always a purpose in our pain and there is always a message in our mess. The Holy Spirit reminded me that we should still rejoice in the mist of the battle because the war has already been won. So I got back up with the help of the Lord and I am prepared to fight again. If you think about it that’s a win when we get back up. You may be thinking make it make sense. A lost is a lost is a lost. Wrong thinking. First you must know that a battle is not a war, a battle is part of a war. You cannot have a war without battles and fights. And if you lose the battle, it does not mean you have lost the war.  

{A Psalm of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.} “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm 34:1)

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

When we are in a battle, we need to recognize who we are fighting. It is not our family or friends. It is not our coworkers or spouses. It is not physical, financial or mental issues. It is not the darkness we see happening in our life or in the world, it is the darkness we cannot see, not with our natural eyes. Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12 that the battles we have in life are not flesh and blood but are evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world. In other words the battle is spiritual, not physical. Every day we are in warfare with the enemy. Satan and his demons are working overtime to wreak havoc in our lives by any means necessary. They know our weaknesses and they know our sin patterns, and their job is to exploit them. Every battle or problem we have in the physical, started in the spiritual. Every negative thought in our mind, which is the battlefield, is satan working overtime to discourage our walk with God. The Bible tells us in our fight with this enemy, we must be aware of his tactics. The Apostle Paul tells us the main characteristics of satan. He uses his power for evil and destruction. He is connected with darkness. He has authority to rule the world. We can look around us and see his work in progress with our natural eyes. However, we need spiritual discernment and awareness because Satan and his demons are deceptive, they sometimes can disguise themselves as wolves in sheep’s clothing. We must pray as Elisha, asking God to open our spiritual eyes so that we may see and not be deceived. ( 2 Kings 6:17) We need to be knowledgeable of spiritual warfare and the tricks and schemes of the enemy. Hosea 4:6 tells us that God’s people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Matthew 7:15)

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

“So that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.” (2 Corinthians 2:11)

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”( John 15:5)

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Isaiah 40:29)

Jesus tells us in Luke, chapter 10:19, that He has given us authority and power over the enemy. The Bible also tells us that Jesus Christ defeated satan and his demons and took away their power. So why does satan who knows he has been defeated continue to attack us? And why is he so determined to rob us of everything the Lord has promised us, which includes eternal life for those who choose to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. I will tell you why, we are a threat to the devil’s kingdom. As Believers we have a target on our back. The enemy will attack the strongest and most faithful followers of Christ as well as believers who are not as seasoned. It doesn’t matter if you have big faith or faith as small as a mustard seed. He is relentless because he is scared. Why is he scared? Because he knows the truth! It is vital that we know these truths as well;

1. The devil can only operate within the confines of what God allows him to do. (Job 1:12)  

2. Satan will never be able to attack us or harm us any more than we are capable of handling through Christ. (1 John 4:4)

3. Jesus gave us authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt us. (Luke 10:19)

4. God gave us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ who triumphed over the principalities and powers! (Colossians 2:15, 1Corinthians 15:57)

These truths are why the devil wants to remove us away from God. He knows we cannot fight spiritual warfare in our own strength. He knows if God opens our spiritual eyes we can see exactly what he is up too. We must stay connected to God by seeking Him daily. Tony Evans said it best, “Stand firm in the area that has already brought victory.” Jesus who won the war will also fight our battles. He will protect and strengthen us through our trials and difficulties. In James 4:7 we are reminded to submit to God and to resist the devil and he will flee. The enemy cannot defeat you in his power, he can only defeat you if you give up your power and give him permission. I encourage you to not give up if it looks like you are losing the battle, instead stand firm, push, praise, and pray! Know that it is not over because the war has been won and the enemy has been defeated. Because of Jesus Christ, we have the victory! Love and Blessings…

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

“Love and hurry are fundamentally incompatible. Love always takes time, and time is the one thing hurried people don’t have.” This quote by John Ortberg is on point. I was reminded this morning while reading my devotional of how hurry and love is incompatible. It brought back a memory of a song back in the day by the Supremes called “You Can’t Hurry Love” I get it. Love can be time-consuming. Parents, spouses, and most relationships where there is true love can testify that just like oil and water, love and hurry does not mix. It’s hard to show love when you are in a hurry. Hurry leads to impatience, tension, stress, even anger which are the opposites of love. The Bible tells us what love is:

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Just like everything else, in this fast-paced world, worldly love is at a high-tech speed. There’s a reason people talk about “walking with God,” and not “running with God.” God’s love has an inner speed. It is a spiritual speed. Jesus was never in a hurry. Jesus who was living out His purpose still took the time to spend with His disciples and friends. He took the time to show love and compassion. Jesus said “I Love You” with his life by showing up for all of us and giving us hope. We didn’t deserve it which tells us true love should not be conditional. Jesus is a perfect example of how to love. Love is not just a feeling. It is a choice. Sometimes all we need to do is choose to take the time to show up.  

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2)

Jesus commanded us to love one another. When asked what the greatest commandment in all of Scripture was, he responded with “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, and strength,” but he refused to stop at one command; he added another, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  

“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34).  

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:21)

How we relate to the ones we love is important in any relationship. Do we get impatient and agitated when we are in a hurry? It comes as no surprise that in the Apostle Paul’s definition of love, he describes patience first. We make time for those we love. Or we should. Life is busy and full of interruptions. These interruptions should not affect the way we relate to those we love. You can’t hurry love. May the Lord helps us to look for ways to un-hurry and be present for the people we love. Love and Blessings…

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)

“Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:3-4)